Fashion
Castle Mark gains OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Special Articles Certification
Castle Mark has taken a significant step forward in product safety and sustainability by achieving OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification for its finished products. Although the company had long been using certified PU materials, increasing buyer requests encouraged them to extend certification to their complete product range.
Castle Mark, a Taiwan-headquartered furniture maker with production in Dong Guan, China, has become the first to achieve OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification under the ‘Special Articles’ supplement for its recliners with electronic components.
Guided by TESTEX, the move boosts brand trust, sustainability credentials, and buyer confidence, positioning it as a pioneer in safe furniture.
Initially, Castle Mark was unsure whether certification would apply to its category, since the products combine textile and non-textile elements. With the guidance of TESTEX, which introduced the Special Articles Supplement and provided training, the process was completed successfully. This supplement clarifies which components must be tested, such as textile parts in contact with skin, and which are excluded, such as frames or mechanical elements.
The certification has already strengthened Castle Mark’s brand image. Buyers have welcomed the move, recognising the company as a pioneer in safe and sustainable furniture. Although certification was only received in August 2025, the company expects a steady rise in sales, supported by TESTEX’s marketing initiatives across social media, PR, and international exhibitions. More importantly, Castle Mark views the certification as a way in which it can contribute to the brand-building of its partners, ensuring shared growth.
While it is too early to track direct sales increases, the company believes the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label will boost buyer confidence, create new opportunities, and underpin long-term growth. Compared with other industry certifications, Castle Mark values OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for its trusted, globally recognised system. The clear testing procedures, alignment with international legal requirements, and consumer recognition provide strong support for positioning Castle Mark as a responsible manufacturer.
Feedback from buyers and retail partners has been overwhelmingly positive, and Castle Mark is determined to communicate the certification widely. Beyond product labelling, the company integrates the achievement into its website, catalogues, brochures, and trade fair presentations. With TESTEX’s support, visibility will continue to grow across social and professional channels.
Castle Mark has also praised the collaboration with TESTEX, noting the organisation’s responsive guidance and hands-on support throughout the process. TESTEX representatives visited the factory twice, introduced the OEKO-TEX product range, and provided quick feedback whenever needed.
TESTEX’s Sales and Marketing Manager summed up the partnership: “We are very pleased to support Castle Mark on their journey towards OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification. This collaboration demonstrates how the Special Articles Supplement enables even complex finished products, such as furniture, to be certified according to OEKO-TEX criteria. By achieving this certification, Castle Mark not only ensures product safety but also strengthens trust with sustainability-focused buyers and consumers. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and promoting safe and sustainable development in the furniture industry.”
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
Cotton price surge lifts yarn rates sharply in South India
In the Tiruppur market, cotton yarn trade soared by ****;*–** per kg since last Friday. Spinning mills are increasing yarn prices to cover additional cost of production due to costly cotton. Cotton prices jumped by ****;*,***–*,*** per candy in the last couple of days. A trader from Tiruppur market told Fibre*Fashion, “It was inevitable to increase yarn prices as mills cannot absorb such steep rise in cotton prices. Even after increase in yarn prices, supplies are still limited as mills are exporting yarn at attractive prices. Indian spinning mills’ cotton yarn export ratio increased up to ** per cent of its total production from nearly ** per cent, few months ago.”
In Tiruppur, knitting cotton yarn prices were noted as: ** count combed cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg (excluding GST), ** count combed cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, ** count combed cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, ** count carded cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, ** count carded cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, and ** count carded cotton yarn at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg.
Fashion
US’ Crocs’ Q1 strong on DTC growth; margins, EPS decline
The company’s consolidated revenues stood at $921 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, down 1.7 per cent year on year (YoY), or 4 per cent on a constant currency basis. DTC revenues rose 12.1 per cent, while wholesale revenues declined 9.9 per cent. Gross margin fell to 56.8 per cent from 57.8 per cent, while operating income declined 9.9 per cent to $201 million. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) slipped to $2.71 from $2.83.
Crocs has reported better-than-expected Q1 2026 results, with revenue at $921 million, down 1.7 per cent, driven by 12.1 per cent DTC growth. Gross margin fell to 56.8 per cent, while EPS dipped to $2.71.
The Crocs brand grew modestly, but HEYDUDE declined.
CEO Andrew Rees highlighted strong consumer demand and raised FY26 guidance, projecting EPS of $13.20-13.75.
“We are pleased to have started the year with better-than-expected results, fuelled by broad consumer relevance for both of our brands and disciplined execution,” said Andrew Rees, chief executive officer (CEO) at Crocs. “We delivered enterprise revenue of over $900 million, supported by strong consumer response to product newness and consistent brand storytelling.”
The Crocs brand posted modest growth, with revenues up 0.8 per cent to $767 million, supported by a 12.9 per cent rise in DTC sales. International markets remained resilient, growing 7.2 per cent. However, North America revenues declined 6.1 per cent, Crocs said in a press release.
HEYDUDE revenues fell 12.3 per cent to $154 million, weighed down by a sharp 24.7 per cent drop in wholesale sales, although DTC revenues rose 8.6 per cent.
The company ended the quarter with $131 million in cash and reduced total borrowings to $1.34 billion.
Crocs lifts FY26 outlook; sees modest margin expansion
For full-year 2026, Crocs now expects revenues to range from down 1 per cent to up 1 per cent, with adjusted diluted earnings per share projected between $13.2 and $13.75. The company also anticipates modest expansion in adjusted operating margin.
For the second quarter, revenues are expected to decline slightly, with Crocs brand growth of 1–3 per cent and HEYDUDE projected to fall 12-14 per cent. Adjusted operating margin is forecast at around 24.7 per cent.
“Based on our first quarter performance, we are raising our full-year outlook on both the top- and bottom-line,” added Rees. “We remain confident in the long-term health of the business as we drive diversified growth across brands, channels and markets.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Italy’s inflation rises to 2.8% in April on energy spike
The rise was largely driven by a rebound in energy costs. Prices of non-regulated energy products surged from a 2 per cent decline to a 9.9 per cent increase, while regulated energy prices rose 5.7 per cent after previously contracting, Istat said in a press release.
Italy’s inflation rose to 2.8 per cent YoY in April 2026 from 1.7 per cent in March, driven by a sharp rebound in energy prices, Istat said.
Monthly inflation stood at 1.2 per cent.
Goods inflation strengthened, while services inflation eased.
Transport costs increased notably.
The harmonised index (HICP) rose 2.9 per cent YoY, reflecting higher prices and seasonal factors.
In contrast, services inflation showed signs of moderation. Prices for recreation-related services eased to 2.6 per cent YoY, while transport services slowed sharply to 0.5 per cent. Overall services inflation decelerated to 2.4 per cent from 2.8 per cent in March.
Goods inflation, however, strengthened significantly, rising 3.2 per cent YoY compared with 0.8 per cent in the previous month. This narrowed the inflation gap between goods and services to -0.8 percentage points, down from +2 percentage points in March.
The monthly increase in the index was primarily led by higher prices for non-regulated energy (+5.7 per cent), transport services (+1.6 per cent), and recreation-related services (+1.4 per cent).
Among major consumption categories, water, electricity and fuels recorded a sharp 5.3 per cent annual increase, while transport prices rose 3.8 per cent.
Italy’s harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP), which allows comparison across the euro area, rose 2.9 per cent YoY in April, up from 1.6 per cent in March. On a monthly basis, HICP increased 1.7 per cent, partly reflecting the end of seasonal discounts in clothing and footwear.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
-
Tech1 week agoA Brain Implant for Depression Is About to Be Tested in Humans
-
Sports1 week agoPro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW
-
Business1 week ago‘I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back’
-
Entertainment1 week agoNorway joins Type 26 Frigate Programme to boost NATO naval power
-
Entertainment1 week agoMelania Trump says ABC should ‘take a stand’ on late-night host Kimmel
-
Tech1 week agoAre tech leaders risking a cyber resourcing crisis? | Computer Weekly
-
Business6 days agoPSX plunges over 4,800 points | The Express Tribune
-
Business1 week agoStarmer says ‘tide could be turning’ on shoplifting epidemic
